Due to extremely dry conditions and unseasonable weather, Flagstaff has closed its athletic fields. Parks officials are trying to prevent permanent damage to the turf.
Sixteen fields in Flagstaff from soccer to baseball have been closed. Gino Leoni, parks maintenance supervisor for the city, said the turf is at risk of extensive damage and the city doesn’t have the ability to irrigate the fields right now.
"We could essentially lose our turf," Leoni said. "It’s to the point now, it’s so dry that just stepping on the grass, it tends to crumble underneath your feet down to dirt."
Leoni said he’s been with the parks department for 12 years and this has never happened during his time there.
